FRESNO, Calif. – Cub Swanson knows Brian Ortega is trying to use his name as a building block at UFC Fight Night 123, but he refuses to let it happen.

Swanson (25-7 MMA, 10-3 UFC) is a long-established contender in the UFC featherweight division. Ortega (12-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC), meanwhile, is an unbeaten up-and-comer who wants to prove his worth in Saturday’s headliner, which takes place at Save Mart Center in Fresno, Calif., and airs on FS1 following early prelims on UFC Fight Pass.

The tale of the main-event matchmaking is as old as combat sports itself. A younger fighter is trying to catapult into a higher tier of relevance while the veteran attempts to fend them off and prove there are still many successful moments ahead. Swanson has more to lose in that situation, but he said at today’s UFC Fight Night 123 open workouts that he’s grown accustomed to it and knows his job.

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“That’s why I’m in the position I’ve been in and why I want to stay in this position and keep saying, ‘Give me bigger opportunities,'” Swanson told MMAjunkie. “Every once in a while I’ve got to turn around and let an up-and-comer get a piece. I feel like I was like him years ago. I feel like he’ll be a better fighter having lost, and I’d love to give him that lesson.”

At 34, Swanson is by no means old. He’s not necessarily young for the sport, though, and with UFC Fight Night 123 representing his 33rd professional fight, it’s possible for a natural decline to come at any moment.

Swanson said he’s preparing himself for the latter states of his career and wants to ensure he can still compete at a high level. He doesn’t feel that plays a part in the fight with 26-year-old Ortega, but it could certainly represent a glimpse into the future.

“I feel the best shape of my life,” Swanson said. “I feel this is the hardest I’ve ever trained for a fight. With an addition to the family or not, I’ve pushed harder than I’ve ever pushed. I keep younger, hungry fighters around me. We do conditioning, and we do things, and I don’t lose a thing. I think when they start beating me at everything, and I feel like (there’s) a decline in my performance, that’s when I’ll admit, ‘All right, I’m slipping.’

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“I’m already even changing a little bit of my game to be prepared for that,” he continued. “You’ve seen guys like Alistair Overeem change their game plan as they get older. I’ve already put those tools in process, but they will start shining after when I need it.”

With four consecutive victories in the UFC featherweight division, everything is clicking for Swanson. He wants that to continue against Ortega in what is the final fight of his UFC contract. It’s possible the bout with Ortega could get Swanson his elusive 145-pound title shot, and it’s also possible it could be his final fight under the UFC banner. In order to put himself in the best position, Swanson knows he needs a decisive win.

“I’m sick of having five-round wars,” Swanson said. “I’m totally willing to do it if it has to happen, but I’d like to end it early. I’d like to make a statement. Then whatever happens after that happens after that.”